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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

when the studies end

Two weeks ago, I decided we were done with studies for the year. I didn’t tell the children when we were stopping, partly because I wasn’t sure exactly when that would be, and partly because I was afraid they’d start begging and whining (more than normal). We had worked fairly consistently over the last few months and were in a pleasant groove. There was no need to shake things up with threats of freedom.

But spring had definitely sprung. With the hotter days, I needed my cool mornings for outside work and kitchen tasks—both feel unbearable in the middle of the afternoon. Plus, on sunny mornings, the kids tend to wake up and walk out. No one has much patience for sitting inside and reading when the birds are chirping (and pooping all over the porch) so merrily.

All that first week, we reveled in our freedom. A trip to town, a baking project, gardening—all of these no longer felt like one more thing to squeeze into a crowded day. Instead, they were what the day was about. There was time for afternoon walks, magazine reading, visiting with friends, and volunteering. Kids gushed over their free time, got totally bored, and then eventually found something to do.

Towards the end of the week when I was reviewing the photos from the last few days, I realized that even though we were no longer doing our studies, learning hadn’t been diminished in the least. In fact, it had, perhaps, even increased.

For example:

My son spent hours trying to figure out the Linux programming on an old computer from my brother.

Woot!! I just realised this is exactly what I need to do. Who knew?! Because some kids are in formal school and some not, I forget we don't have to follow the school year or any other imposed structure. I am going to pronounce all over at the end of the weekend. (My homeschooler is attending a strings audition and, while we don't care if she joins the orchestra, I do want her to walk away knowing she gave it her very best.) Shhhh ... and thanks for your blog. Again.